A DOCTOR, who groped a nurse while she was treating him at the hospital where he worked, has been suspended from medical practice for six months.

Mohamed Niaz Ahmed, from Cleadon, touched the nurse’s breast and made sexual advances towards her after being admitted to South Tyneside Hospital’s accident and emergency ward after suffering facial injuries in a fall.

The 54-year-old, of Broadlands, who was employed by the hospital at the time as an anaesthetist, had a case of misconduct proved against him at a Fitness to Practice Panel hearing held by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service.

Ahmed was taken to the hospital on September 21, 2010 by ambulance after falling off an electric bicycle.

The disciplinary panel report states that he smelt strongly of alcohol.

While being treated by a nurse – referred to as Nurse A – he made sexual advances to her and touched her breast.

A second nurse – referred to as Nurse B – was drafted in for help.

Ahmed is alleged to have attempted to touch Nurse B’s face and repeatedly exposed his genitals by removing a hospital gown.

The panel, sitting in Manchester, found the claim that he groped the nurse’s breast was proved, but not that he exposed himself deliberately.

Ahmed was also appearing before the tribunal over an incident at a fireworks display at Cleadon’s Oakleigh Gardens, where he discussed the possibility of having sex with two girls aged 16 and 15.

He hugged and kissed both girls, touched both of their bottoms and allowed himself to be photographed with another girl bending over provocatively in front of him.

Ahmed was acquitted of charges of sexual assault and engaging in sexual activity with a child during a four-day trial at Newcastle Crown Court but at the hearing, his behaviour was found to be “inappropriate for a doctor” and an “abuse of trust”.

Panel chairwoman Dr Wendy Kuriyan said his conduct at the hospital was “inappropriate but not sexually motivated” but concluded his actions at the fireworks display did merit a suspension.

Ian Frame, executive director of personnel and development at South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust confirmed Ahmed worked for them until December 2010 and was disciplined for his actions towards the nurses.